Monday 12th January 2026

WWT Slimbridge     16 TUNDRA BEAN GEESE flew in to the Dumbles at 2pm. Two WHOOPER SWANS arrived on the Rushy at dusk. A BITTERN flew from the island on the fleet to reeds to the SW of Van de Bovenkamp hide early afternoon. The Pink-footed Goose of unknown origin on the Dumbles with Canada Geese early morning and the Ross’s Goose with the Barnacle flock. Two Egyptian Geese in the Canal Ground scrape, viewed from the towpath S of Shepherd’s Patch bridge. (Slimbridge Sightings). A DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE on the Dumbles from 12:15pm. (Geoff Moyser). A Firecrest in the withy bed near Willow hide again. (Paul Masters). A Great White Egret on the Decoy and a Black Swan on the Eider pen. (MK).

Great White Egret by Mike King

Cotswold Water Park West     A GREAT NORTHERN DIVER on Pit 57 this morning. Restricted viewing on the Thames path. (Claire Carpenter per Jon Mercer). Not seen this afternoon on Pit 57 or Pit 16. Six Goldeneyes on Pit 57 and six Goosanders on Pit 42. (Ian Ralphs).

Nailsworth     At Barton End a hunting female MERLIN kept harassing a flock of 450+ Skylarks, 50+ Corn Buntings and 30+ Linnets. Also seven Red Kites and four Golden Plovers. At Windsoredge, 70+ Redwings flew W in two flocks. (Terry Grant).

Hazleton    Early morning at least 32 BRAMBLINGS and five Corn Buntings with the finch flock behind the usual 5-bar gate at SP 07438 18721. Also a Raven. (Nigel Sluman).

Cirencester Park    At least nine Hawfinches right in the treetops and a Crossbill flew over and calling in Oakley Wood this morning. (Martine Fenn).

Stonehouse    At least two Firecrests along the Stroudwater canal path below the Horse Trough roundabout in Stonehouse. (per Steve Pullen).

Coombe Hill Meadows     This afternoon 586 Lapwings, three Golden Plovers, a Dunlin, six Mute Swans, 14 Canada Geese, 77 Mallards, 566 Wigeon, 121 Shovelers, 231 Pintails, 214 Teal, 11 Gadwalls and a Peregrine over. (Greg Lee).

Painswick     A male Blackcap, first of the winter, in the garden this afternoon. (John Fleming).

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Sunday 11th January 2026

Hazleton    At 9:15am along the minor road towards Salperton, 15+ BRAMBLINGS with the finch flock behind the usual 5-bar gate at SP 07438 18721. (Ken Hurcombe).

WWT Slimbridge      A MERLIN over the trees at the N end of South Lake deep pond at 10:20am. A Firecrest by the new Estuary Walkway gate again. (Roberta Goodall). 83 Bewick’s Swans on site at dawn between the Rushy and the Tack Piece. 142 White-fronted Geese and an adult Pink-footed Goose in the entrance road fields viewable through gateways to the N of the road. (Slimbridge Sightings).

Frampton pools     This evening ten Cattle Egrets, 16 Little Egrets, 45 Cormorants, a Peregrine, 32 Redwings, two Fieldfares, 31 Shovelers, three Little Grebes and a small Starling murmuration. (Nick Goatman).

Gretton     A Green Woodpecker was an unusual winter visitor to the garden today. (Roger Wasley).

Green Woodpecker by Roger Wasley

Cotswold Water Park West     No sign of any divers on Pit 16 by 11:40am. (Ken Hurcombe).

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Saturday 10th January 2026

Cotswold Water Park West     Two GREAT NORTHERN DIVERS together on Pit 16 this afternoon and a male Goldeneye before everything was scared off by a motorboat. 30+ Goosanders on Pit 41, 12 Red Crested Pochards and a Great White Egret on Pit 42. (Seb Buckton).

WWT Slimbridge     A BITTERN in the reedbed from Zeiss hide. A FIRECREST showing really well on the Estuary Walkway this morning. (Slimbridge Sightings). Also two Goldcrests, eight Redwings, ten Long-tailed Tits and 20 Siskins. 72 Bewick’s Swans (5 juvs) on the Rushy at 8:45am. (Paul Clark). Two Lesser Redpolls feeding in the Birch trees by the pond life area at lunchtime today. (Steve Pullen).

Saul Warth     At high tide 57 Avocets, 43 Curlews, three Dunlins, two Redshanks, a Jack Snipe, a Snipe, seven Pintails, 25 Shelducks, a Cattle Egret, two Little Egrets, 40 Redwings, 20 Fieldfares, 12 Pied Wagtails, a Grey Wagtail and three Chiffchaffs. (MK).

Pied Wagtail by Mike King

Saul     Along the banks of the River Frome near Saul this afternoon two Great White Egrets, a Little Egret, two Cattle Egrets, 20 Siskins, four Goldcrests, a Grey Wagtail, four Fieldfares and a Grey Heron. 20 Redwings and another Grey Wagtail in the fields towards Frampton. (Tim Thompson).

Winchcombe     A Ring-necked Parakeet heard and seen at noon by the Greet Road cemetery. It flew off in the direction of the River Isbourne. (Peter Rodgers).

Cheltenham     In the Pittville area today on Prestbury Road near the garage at 11:50am a Ring-necked Parakeet calling from a tree. At 12:30pm two Kingfishers in Pittville Park. (Ken Heron).

Chavenage Lane area     200+ Lapwings in fields and two Red Kites, and at Barton End at least 50 Corn Buntings. (Terry Grant).

Gloucester    A Kingfisher along Horsebere Brook, from Millfields Bridge, late afternoon. (Karen Fryatt).

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Friday 9th January 2026

Cotswold Water Park West    The GREAT NORTHERN DIVER still on Pit 16 this morning at 10:30am. On Pit 31 c40 Red Crested Pochards and three Goosanders. On Pit 42 eight Goosanders and 14 Red Crested Pochards. (Paul Masters/Roberta Goodall). Also at Pit 16 a Great Crested Grebe, a Great White Egret, four Pochards, 30 Tufted Ducks, six Shovelers and 12 Canada Geese. (Mil Petkovic).

Great Northern Diver by Paul Masters

WWT Slimbridge     Two WHOOPER SWANS flew into the Rushy at 4pm. (Paul Rich). : 89 White-fronted Geese on the Goose House Ground, just N of the Tack Piece from the Sloane Tower. From the Estuary Tower two Little Stints on the scrape, 36 White-fronted Geese and six on Tack Piece, and the Pink-footed Goose of unknown origin with the Canada Geese. (Tim Jukes).

Saul Warth     At high tide four Cattle Egrets, three Little Egrets, 20 Shelducks, six Pintails, 45 Avocets, four Curlews, 500 Lapwings flew N and 20 flew W, 50 Redwings, 12 Fieldfares, a Mistle Thrush and two Chiffchaffs. (MK/Martin McGill).

Little Egret by Mike King

Tewkesbury     Two Cattle Egrets on the farm this morning near Forthampton Court. (Sarah Loaring).

Stonehouse     A Great Oldbury a garden Goldcrest in the Christmas tree on the patio. (Cathy Pugh).

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Thursday 8th January 2026

WWT Slimbridge     At least five Siskins with Goldfinches feeding in Alders next to the exit gate from the Hawaiian exhibit, also a Treecreeper and two Goldcrests here. (Paul Masters).

Saul Warth     On the rising tide this morning 37 Avocets, a Black-tailed Godwit, 54 Curlews, seven Redshanks, a Dunlin, 36 Lapwings, 19 Shelducks, 27 Pintails, a Teal, two Little Egrets, five Fieldfares, 20 Redwings, 32 Chaffinches, ten Goldfinches, a pair of Stonechats and two Chiffchaffs, one possibly Siberian. (MK).

Avocets by Mike King

Maisemore     At the mostly frozen Leadon Meadows today 41 Shelducks, three Shovelers, 18 Gadwalls, four Wigeon, 35 Mallards, 80+ Pintails, five Teal, two Red Kites and a fly-over Yellowhammer. (Andy Jayne).

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Wednesday 7th January 2026

Cotswold Water Park West     The GREAT NORTHERN DIVER still on Pit 16 at 9am. Five Great White Egrets on Pit 12. (Mark Dowie). 34 Goosanders in the Lower Mill area. (Jon Mercer).

Hazleton    Along the minor road towards Salperton, 15+ BRAMBLINGS and four Corn Buntings with the Chaffinch flock behind the usual 5-bar gate at SP 07438 18721. (Ian Sherriffs).

Corn Buntings by Ian Sherriffs

Bramblings by Ian Sherriffs

WWT Slimbridge     A BITTERN in the reeds by the Dragonfly Pond at 12:10pm. (Slimbridge Sightings). Two Little Stints on the Tack Piece. (Terry Stevenson). Four Lesser Redpolls feeding in the alders near the Estuary Shoreline. (Ella Slinn/Terry Stevenson).

Westbury-on-Severn     Around the Westbury Strand and Rodley area a WHOOPER SWAN, 520 Lapwings, 22 Golden Plovers, 13 Curlew, four Snipe, a Marsh Harrier, a male Sparrowhawk, two Kestrels, two Ravens, nine Chiffchaffs, five Stonechats, two Grey Wagtails and 11 Reed Buntings. (Andy Jayne).

Whooper Swan by Andy Jayne

Frampton pools     Five Cattle Egrets, two Sparrowhawks, six Pochards, 58 Gadwalls, 27 Tufted Ducks, six Great Crested Grebes, two Little Grebes, 61 Teal, 54 Mallards, 45 Shovelers and two Common Cranes over. (Nick Goatman).

Chavenage Lane area     84 Lapwings, nine Golden Plovers, nine Red Kites, 11 Buzzards and at Barton End, 30+ Corn Buntings. (Terry Grant).

Forest of Dean    At least 20 Red Kites gathered in the sky over Lower Lydbrook at sunset. (Dominic Godfrey).

Stonehouse     Late morning from Bond’s Mill via Beard’s Mill to Stanley Downton sewage works 11 Siskins, two Snipe, a Buzzard, 17 Long-tailed Tits, 18 Redwings, a Grey Wagtail, 14 Pied Wagtails, good numbers of House Sparrows and 16 Chaffinches. (MK).

Kempford     Yesterday (7th) at the sewage treatment works 22 Chiffchaffs ringed and one retrapped from last year. Two Siberian Chiffchaffs were ringed on the left leg to help local birders identify them. (Matt Prior).

Siberian Chiffchaff by Matt Prior

Siberian Chiffchaff by Matt Prior
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Tuesday 6th January 2026

WWT Slimbridge     Two adult WHOOPER SWANS and 86 Bewick’s Swans on the Rushy early morning. (Slimbridge Sightings). A Kingfisher showing very well in the grounds. (Martin Wightman/Martin Price). Two Cetti’s Warblers feeding in the leaf litter along the Estuary Tower walkway. (Dot Jones). A Water Rail from Willow hide, a Peregrine from Robbie Garnett hide and Discovery hide, five Snipe from Zeiss hide and a Goldeneye on South Lake. (Geoff Fawcett). A Chiffchaff feeding on the ground today by the Knott hide. (John Elley).

Kingfisher by Martin Wightman

Chiffchaff by John Elley

Berkeley shore     12 Turnstones on the River Severn this morning. Also 165 Lapwings, 34 Golden Plovers, 62 Dunlins, a Curlew, nine Redshanks, a Black-tailed Godwit, a Snipe, small flocks of thrushes, five Blackcaps, a Reed Bunting and 72 Mallards. A Red Kite over the town. (Thomas McClung).

Hazleton    Along the minor road towards Salperton, 20 BRAMBLINGS and a Corn Bunting with the Chaffinch flock behind the usual 5-bar gate at SP 07438 18721. (Les Ditchburn).

Wotton-Under-Edge     In Westridge Wood c12 Crossbills feeding on pine cones in the eastern part of the wood. Also two male Bullfinches and two Goldcrests. (Chris Newton).

Crossbill by Chris Newton

Elmore Court     In the rewilding area at dawn 40 Skylarks, three Stonechats (2m), two Teal, five Snipe, eight Lapwings, two Buzzards, two Kestrels, two Great Spotted Woodpeckers, one drumming, a Green Woodpecker heard, two Ravens, 20 Fieldfares and ten Redwings. (MK).

Tewkesbury     At Walton Cardiff village a Kestrel, a Red Kite, a female Blackcap, plenty of Redwings of Fieldfares, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Goldfinches, two Great Spotted Woodpeckers drumming and a Green Woodpecker heard. (Morgan Gilbert).

Andoversford     In the fields between Andoversford and Syreford Quarry this morning 20+ Lapwings, 100+ Starlings, 15+ Fieldfares, 25+ Redwings, four Song Thrushes, a Red Kite, a Raven and a Buzzard. (Cottia Howard).

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Monday 5th January 2026

WWT Slimbridge    83 Bewick’s Swans and a WHOOPER SWAN early morning on the Rushy, but no sign of the Whooper throughout the day. An adult Pink-FOOTED GOOSE in the approach road fields. (Slimbridge Sightings). 15 TUNDRA BEAN GEESE on the Tack Piece late morning. A Firecrest and a Goldcrest by new Estuary Walkway gate and a Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming. A Marsh Harrier and a Peregrine from the Estuary Tower and another Peregrine over the Rushy. 11 Common Cranes over the car park early morning. Two Lesser Redpolls by the wigwams in the North American pen. A Kingfisher in the matrix. Two Water Rails, a Great White Egret over and a Bullfinch along South Finger and nine Snipe from Zeiss hide. (Paul Masters/MK/Mark Dowie/Mike Davis).

Peregrine by Mike King

Firecrest by Mike King

Lesser Redpoll by Mike King

Bewick’s Swan by Mike King

Cotswold Water Park West    The GREAT NORTHERN DIVER showed well on Pit 16 this afternoon. (Paul Rich).

Great Northern Diver by Paul Rich

Coombe Hill Meadows     This afternoon a Peregrine, a Raven, a Snipe, ten Fieldfares, eight Redwings, 1500+ Teal, 400+ Mallards, 250+ Wigeon, 150+ Pintails, 100+ Shovelers, seven Mute Swans, 25 Greylags and 20 Canada Geese. (Paul Clark).

Forest of Dean     Four BRAMBLINGS on Serridge Ridge this morning. (Geoff Fawcett). A Hawfinch feeding in a yew off of Crown Lane, Parkend and another seven Hawfinches flew over. 15 Mandarins, three Wigeon and a Teal at Cannop Ponds. (Aravind Ramesh).

Andoversford      Six Lapwings in the fields between Andoversford and Syreford Quarry this afternoon. (Cottia Howard).

Chavenage Lane area     90+ Lapwings, most flying W, 21 Golden Plovers, eight Red Kites, a Goshawk, and at Barton End 30+ Corn Buntings, 75+ Linnets and at least 500 Skylarks, presumably disturbed by a raptor. (Terry Grant).

Nailsworth     Seven Lapwings flew low over the gardens in Worley Ridge heading south. A garden first. (Mike Kom).

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Sunday 4th January 2026

WWT Slimbridge     A WHOOPER SWAN, 28 Bewick’s Swans and 103+ White-fronted Geese on Tack Piece. 15 TUNDRA BEAN GEESE, 12 Common Cranes, 100’s of Canada Geese, 100+ Greylags and Barnacle Geese, a Ross’s Goose and a PINK-FOOTED GOOSE on the Dumbles. A Firecrest by new Estuary Walkway gate. Another adult PINK-FOOTED GOOSE in the approach fields. A Treecreeper in the grounds by the wigwams. (Craig Brookes/Ian Hull/Roberta Goodall/Slimbridge Sightings).

Slimbridge     A Cattle Egret in a field by Longaston Lane today. (Craig Brookes).

Cotswold Water Park West     The juvenile GREAT NORTHERN DIVER still on Pit 16 today. Also a Red Kite and a Green Woodpecker. (Greg Mabbett/Oliver Paisey/Mark Hobson). On Pit 31 a BITTERN, four Red Crested Pochards, a Water Rail, 12+ Siskins, a Blackcap and 70+ Fieldfares. (Oliver Paisey). On Pit 41 12 Goosanders, two Great Crested Grebes, a Grey Heron and two Cormorants. On Pit 43 4+ Red Crested Pochards and at least one Goosander. (Mike Davis). At Shorncote six Chiffchaffs including a possible Siberian Chiffchaff around a fallen tree in the brook, two Green Sandpipers and three Snipe. At Lower Mill Estate Pits 57 and 65, 37 Red Crested Pochards, 40 Tufted Ducks, four Goldeneyes, a Goosander and a Great White Egret. (Mark Hobson).

Great Northern Diver by Oliver Paisey

Saul Warth     Early morning at high tide three Curlews, a Shelduck, five Grey Herons, a Cattle Egret, a Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming, two Chiffchaffs, two Redwings, 20 Fieldfares, two Stonechats, a Grey Wagtail, a Greenfinch, five Goldfinches and 19 Chaffinches. (MK).

Nailsworth     At Barton End lay-by late evening a flock of 40+ Corn Buntings, five Yellowhammers and a Red Kite. (Mark Hobson). 24 Ravens feeding on the ground in the corner of a field of grazing sheep behind Barton End riding stables. (Mike Kom).

Frampton pools     Around the pools today two male Goldeneyes, five Cattle Egrets, six Little Egrets, 22 Teal, four Wigeon, two Pochards, 75 Gadwalls, 79 Shovelers, 28 Tufted Ducks, 32 Cormorants, 435 Coots, 30 Moorhens, 52 Mallards, seven Great Crested Grebes, four Little Grebes, five Lapwings sat on the ice on the sailing lake and 72 over. (Nick Goatman).

Gloucester     In the Alney Island area three Snipe, seven Cormorants, two Grey Herons, a Buzzard, 20+ Long-tailed Tits, a Chiffchaff, a Mistle Thrush, a pair of Stonechats, a Siskin and a Goldcrest today. (Gord Avery).

Haresfield     A Peregrine on the incinerator at Javelin Park at midday. (Steve Pullen).

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Saturday 3rd January 2026

WWT Slimbridge     15 TUNDRA BEAN GEESE on the Tack Piece close to Stephen Kirk hide this morning. A Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming in the Decoy. (MK). Two PINK-FOOTED GEESE on the Dumbles viewed from Estuary Tower, one long-stayer of unknown origin and the other apparently wild that arrived with White-fronts. (Chris Moore). The BITTERN showed well again from Van de Bovenkamp hide. (Jon Mercer/Ian Sherriffs/Martin Price). A Firecrest along the Estuary Tower walkway near the tunnel. (Mike Davis). From Zeiss hide a Peregrine and a Marsh Harrier fighting over a female Shoveler. A Firecrest and a Sparrowhawk from the Decoy boardwalk. A Water Rail from Knott hide and another from Kingfisher hide, also a Siskin heard. A Kingfisher and a Chiffchaff in the collection. (Harrison Rowsell).

Bittern by Ian Sherriffs

Pink-footed Geese by Mike King

Tundra Bean Geese by Mike King

Slimbridge     Four Cattle Egrets in the fields on the right hand bend by the substation at 11am. (MK).

Tewkesbury     A female-type BLACK REDSTART flycatching from sunny guttering on the rear SW corner of Tewkesbury Abbey at midday. (Les Ditchburn).

Cotswold Water Park West     The drake RING-NECKED DUCK in the SW corner of Pit 31 with the Pochard flock. (Ian Sherriffs). The juvenile GREAT NORTHERN DIVER still on Pit 16 from 9:45am. (Mark Hobson). The Diver still present late afternoon and the YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER again. (Richard Baatsen/Ian Sherriffs).

Ring-necked Duck by Ian Sherriffs

Stonehouse     25 Redwings, three Bullfinches, two Jays, three Song Thrushes, three Great Spotted Woodpeckers, two Blackcaps, five Great Tits, three Blue Tits, a Buzzard and a Wren, all at Doverow Hill. (Matt Neale).

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